Superheroes, whether imaginary like Batman and Spiderman, or real like firemen or nurses, will be invading all branches of the Baltimore County Public Library system this summer.
With their stories of heroic deeds, these heroes are the stars of the system's 2015 Summer Reading Club, "Every Hero Has A Story."
Throughout the summer, readers of all ages, from those just starting out to adults, are invited to participate in the annual free summer program that encourages reading with prizes and activities.
"Every branch has its own reading and entertainment selected," said Bob Hughes, spokesman for BCPL. "The theme is the unifying thing besides promoting reading."
All of the younger age groups — the read-to-me club (for ages up to 5 years), the elementary reading club (for grades K through five), the middle school reading club (grades 6-8) — are asked to complete a game board with either prizes or a raffle ticket for items given for completing so many books.
High school students and adults are asked to enter and review the books they have read to qualify to win a GalaxyTab 4.7.O 8GB.
"They do a good job with that," said Robert Maranto, branch manager of the Arbutus Library as well as the Lansdowne Library, of the various prizes awarded, from slappy hands to stickers."There is usually one that is a favorite that every kid wants."
Each year, both at Arbutus and at the Lansdowne branch, has seen an increase in the number of people participating in the summer reading program. A total of 51,550 people participated in the 2014 summer program, according to Hughes, with 2,207 at Arbutus and 815 at Lansdowne.
Maranto and Hughes both credit Baltimore County Public Schools for helping to promote it.
"What a great partner BCPS has been. Those numbers would never have happened with out them," Hughes said. "They recognize the importance. Every year, they push it a little more. They are the greatest partners in the world."
While the program's goal is to promote reading, it is not school, Maranto stressed.
"We want to keep them reading and keep them engaged in a fun way. It is still summer vacation," Maranto said. "We don't want them to feel that it is school."
That is why there is no required reading list. Activities are also optional, with reading as a substitute.
"They need the freedom," Maranto said, of youth. "They can read comic books, graphic novels, magazines."
There are activities and books geared to the theme available. Last year's theme "Fizz, Boom, Read," revolved around science, the 2011 theme of "One World, Many Stories," explored the world, and 2013's "Dig Into Reading" theme encouraged youth to dig in and read, for example.
A lot of youth like to read non-fiction, Maranto added, though he admitted mostly boys ask for it.
"They want to learn something, something true," Maranto said, of the boys. "There is interest in the facts."
He is happy to see teenagers participating – both in reading and volunteering to help with the various scheduled events.
"It is very gratifying to see that there are teens that are really turned on by reading," Maranto said.
Summer reading programs have been around for years, Hughes said, with most local libraries around the state hosting events to encourage reading. The practice continued when Baltimore County libraries united in 1948 to form BCPL..
"It keeps kids learning. It keeps them thinking. It keeps their brains working," Hughes said, of the reasons for its continuation. "It really helps for school."
For the younger readers, including the babies, the program is just as important, he said.
"It helps them to develop an appreciation of stories and an excitement with having people to read to them," Hughes said. "It also helps to get an interest in libraries and what they have to offer."
The Summer Reading Club program "Every Hero Has A Story" officially started on June 15 and runs through Aug. 9.
For more information, call the Arbutus Library, 410-887-1451